The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Two chubby, frisky kittens race around the house and yard playing cat skidoo, which seems to entail chasing everything that moves while wreaking havoc. They go after birds, battle a rubber ball, escape a dog, and finally return to the house for milk and a nap that includes a dream of dog chasing. Roberts’s short, rhythmic text is as much fun to read as it is to hear. Alley’s expertise shines in the watercolor-and-ink illustrations. The kittens are expressive without being too anthropomorphic. Toddlers won’t need to read to tell the story of the kittens’ adventure, and they’ll find ample detail to embellish their versions. This will be best for sharing one-on-one or with small groups since many of the smiles and laughs are in the details. (Picture book. 2-6)

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